Vice President Joe Biden administers the Senate Oath to Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. during a mock swearing-in ceremony Thursday on Capitol Hill in Washington as the 113th Congress officially began.

Written by

Ever since her stunning victory in November, Tammy Baldwin has almost downplayed the historic significance of her winning a seat in the United States Senate.

But on Thursday, even she acknowledged her name will become part of Senate lore after she was sworn in as the newest senator from Wisconsin. Upon taking that oath of office, Baldwin officially became the first woman from the Badger State and the first openly gay person to serve in Congress' Upper Chamber.

Baldwin, 50, was escorted to the well of the Senate floor by Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Oshkosh, and Herb Kohl, whose retirement after 24 years ...